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This recipe for Mexican Picadillo is spicy and flavorful. Served with tortillas, rice, and beans.
It’s a winning dish that is perfect for weeknight dinners and family gatherings.
Watch the VIDEO to learn how to make this Mexican food classic.
When I don’t know what to make for dinner, Mexican Picadillo is usually the answer.
It is one of my favorite go-to meals, just like my mother, my aunts, my grandmother.
This isn’t some ordinary dish for me.
It conjures emotions and memories of family togetherness after Sunday mass.
I have wanted to publish this recipe since forever, but I had to do it the justice it deserves.
You have no idea how many times I’ve taken pictures of this dish, and finally, I think I got it.
Somewhere up in heaven, I hope my abuelita is smiling in approval.
How to Make Mexican Picadillo
- 1. Add salt, pepper, and ground cumin to the beef.
- 2. Cook the ground beef.
- 3. Then drain any excess fat.
I like to use 90/10 or 80/20 lean ground beef for my recipes. Fat means flavor, but you have to be smart about the products you use.
If I know that a recipe will get fat from something else – like there’s bacon in the recipe – then I will go with 90/10.
For this Mexican Picadillo recipe because there is no other source of fat, I went with 80/20 lean ground beef.
Also, don’t be afraid to season the beef well. Adding enough salt and seasoning to the beef will take this dish far.
There really isn’t a substitute for beef. You can use ground chicken or ground turkey to make picadillo, but it’s just not the same, in my book.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.
This dish is beefy, not very leafy.
You can add veggies at this point (such as carrots or calabacitas) to make it more complete meal.
- 1. Then add your jalapeños, onion, and tomato.
- 2. Mix and cook for 1 minute.
- 3. Next up, add the garlic, poblano pepper, beef bouillon, water, and tomato sauce.
- 4. Mix well. Cover and bring to a simmer.
It seems like every Latin American country has a Picadillo recipe.
Well, it shouldn’t surprise you that our Mexican Picadillo has chiles in it. Of course it does!
We love our chiles in Mexico.
My family is from the state of Durango. We like our poblano peppers in DGO, and that’s why we add it to our Mexican Picadillo.
There are several staple dishes from Durango like Caldillo Durangueño that use chile pasado.
Chile Pasado being dried poblano peppers. They are very hard to find in the States. If I’m lucky to find them, they are crazy expensive.
Although, I must also say that there are plenty of authentic Mexican Picadillo recipe from Durango that do not include poblano.
This recipe varies from family to family, how the chef is feeling that day, and what is available at the grocery store that day.
I’ve even had it with raisins. I know it may sound odd, but think of spicy and sweet recipes and how that combination REALLY works.
Mexican Picadillo is always made with beef, tomatoes, and potatoes.
From there, the recipe changes because it’s so versatile. Some people will use chile guajillo, others will use chipotle or chile ancho.
In Southern Mexico, I once had picadillo with oranges and olives. It was delicious!
How to Make Mexican Picadillo Less Spicy
Remember that there is already a jalapeño in the pan. The poblano will make it spicier.
I would taste it first to see how spicy it is before adding.
If you make it too spicy, add more tomato, more water, and more beef bouillon. That should tame the heat.
The other thing you can do is completely omit the poblano. Or, just use poblano, and omit the jalapeño.
Personally, I like the roasted flavor that the poblano gives to my Mexican Picadillo.
For my friends who can’t stand the heat, don’t use any of the chiles.
The picadillo will still be very tasty without the chiles.
This is my favorite Mexican Picadillo Recipe. Mainly because it is the way my family makes it.
It comes together in under 30 minutes, making it a perfect weeknight meal.
If the picadillo has too much liquid for your taste, cook uncovered for the last 10 minutes.
The liquid will cook off and still be scrumptious.
Serve your Mexican Picadillo with:
- yummy Mexican rice
- a cup of hearty Pinto Beans (or Frijoles de la Olla)
- a dozen tortillas
- stuff it inside of a gordita
- or as a topping for a tostada.
Or even just by itself, this is delicious.
Writing an “authentic Mexican Picadillo recipe” is very hard.
Mexico is a big country and each region has its own way of making picadillo.
Hope you give this version a try. My abuelita would be happy if you did.
Please note: In the video below, I’m using a Calphalon Signature Hard Anodized Nonstick Pan
, it’s my favorite. Extremely sturdy. You can even use metal utensils, and it won’t scratch!
Watch Video on How to Make Mexican Picadillo
Mexican Picadillo
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 lb ground beef
- Salt
- Pepper
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ onion diced
- 1 jalapeño finely diced
- 1 Roma tomato diced
- 1 garlic clove finely minced
- 1 poblano pepper - roasted skin removed, and finely diced
- 1 tablespoon beef bouillon
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce
- 1 cup potatoes parboiled and diced
- Cilantro chopped (optional)
Instructions
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil.
- Season the ground beef with salt, pepper, and cumin.
- Add beef to the skillet.
- With your spatula, break up the meat.
- Cook for 4-5 minutes until no longer pink.
- Drain any excess fat.
- Add the onion, jalapeño, and tomato.
- Cook for 1 minute.
- Add the garlic, poblano pepper, beef bouillon, water, and tomato sauce.
- Stir to combine.
- Put a lid on the skillet and cook on medium-low for 10 minutes
- Add the potatoes and cook uncovered for an additional 5 minutes, until fork tender.
- Taste for good measure.
- Serve with tortillas, rice, and beans.
- Enjoy!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.
Mexican Beef Recipes
Check out more tasty Mexican beef recipes that you and your family are sure to love.
Beef with Roasted Poblano Chile and Potatoes (or Carne de Res con Rajas y Papas)
Beef with Roasted Poblano Chile and Potatoes, or Carne de Res con Rajas y Papas, is a delicious and spicy dish. Mexican comfort food at its best.
Slow Cooker: Birria de Res, or Mexican Beef Stew + VIDEO
Birria de Res is a traditional Mexican stew, the perfect comfort food with rich, bold flavors that your tastebuds will enjoy.
Caldo de Res (Mexican Beef Soup)
Caldo de Res is a delicious and hearty Mexican Beef Soup with a robust broth. With bone-in portions and large vegetable chunks, a big bowl of this dish is a winter favorite in Mexico.
Classic Ground Beef Taquitos
Classic Ground Beef Taquitos. Crunchy and delicious appetizers. Dip them into salsa or guacamole, and it’s like a piñata breaking in your mouth.
Caldillo Durangueño, a Traditional Beef Stew from Durango, Mexico
Caldillo Durangueño, a traditional beef stew from Durango, Mexico. Deep, robust, and full of delicious chile flavors in a tomato broth.
Braised Chile Colorado Beef Shanks, or Chamorros con Chile Colorado
Braised Chile Colorado Beef Shanks is a delicious dish that is deep in flavor. It’s a great example of Mexican comfort food sure to be loved by your entire family.
Seniora, Madam,
You are simply wonderful in every way… Love is given to so many of us..
you are so lucky… You have the Julia Child’s gift but so much more… You must consider writing your novel, your screenplay, your phone’s, and if you do not paint you must begin. God bless you. It is not a small thing to give so much of yourself so selflessly is is the Christ Way the Buddha way the way of the Dow and the TAO… BLESSINGS FROM AMY AND DAVID!
I’ve made this recipe SEVERAL times already and the kids and I LOVE it! Thank you for sharing your amazing recipes and funny stories and corny jokes ?
Awww.. that makes me so happy! Thank you.
I was looking for awesome new recipes to make for dinner tonight and this looks so yum! I can’t wait to try it!
Great! Hope you enjoy it!!
I am 100% craving beef right now so this recipe is totally hitting the spot for me right now!
My husband is a big beef eater. He loves picadillo!
I don’t think I’ve ever tried picadillo but it looks so good! And it doesn’t seem to hard to make! I will definitely try this!
It’s not hard to make Mexican Picadillo at all. That’s why it’s perfect for weeknight meals or when you need something quick to get on the table. Hope you give this recipe a try.
Wow! I’ve never heard of this kind of recipe before but it looks absolutely mouthwatering! My partner and I usually have a “Mexican” Friday food night – definitely trying this next!
So cool! I love theme night dinners. Hope you get a chance to try out Mexican picadillo one of those nights. 🙂
Saving this so I can make it. It looks so delicious. I hope mine looks as good as yours!
Awesome! You’ll love this Mexican picadillo.
Wow, I love this recipe it is so delicious and look so easy to prepare. I will def try to make this for the whole family.
That’s great. Mexican picadillo comes together quickly. Perfect for weeknights.
The recipe sounds super delicious! I would really love to it too. So tempting. It contains so many of my favorites. Mexican food sure is good
I couldn’t agree more. Mexican picadillo is such a classic too.
Your post made me feel a little bit of wanderlust, I was in Mexico this year and I miss it very much being there. Thank you for you recipe maybe when I will try it I will bring some Mexico vibes to my home <3
I know what you mean. We travel a lot. Luckily, there are foods like this Mexican Picadillo that we can make and take us back to places far, far away…
This look rich and flavorful. I like all the mixture of ingredients. My younger brother is coming over for the holiday and will it.
I’m sure you and your brother will love this Mexican picadillo recipe. Just like you said, rich and flavorful. What’s not to love?!
these look absolutley amazing!!!!! Mexico has incredible food!!!
Thank you! I couldn’t agree more. Mexican picadillo is such an amazing dish.
Never heard of this dish but it looks amazing!
Thank you. Mexican picadillo a very traditional dish. Hope you get to try it some day.
Bookmarked! I am trying this recipe tomorrow. Thanks for the inspiration.
That’s so awesome! Hope you enjoy it.
Wow, this dish looks so delicious and look so easy to prepare. I am going to try this on this coming weekend for our family dinner.
Hope you do. Mexican picadillo is delicious… if I say so myself 🙂